Nathan Jawai
Encyclopedia
Nathan Jawai is an Indigenous Australian professional basketball
player. He currently plays for the Russian
team UNICS Kazan
.
by the Indiana Pacers
; however, his rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors
in a deal that also brought Jermaine O'Neal
to Toronto for T. J. Ford
, Rasho Nesterović, Maceo Baston
, and the Raptors' 17th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft who turned out to be Roy Hibbert
.
Soon after the trade the Raptors announced they had signed Jawai to a two-year deal on 11 July 2008.
Nicknamed the "Aussie Shaq", "Outback Shaq", and "Baby Shaq" due to his resemblance to Shaquille O'Neal
, Jawai claims to not like the nicknames or comparisons to O'Neal. He is also nicknamed by Toronto commentators 'Big Nate'.
On 17 December 2008, Jawai was cleared to resume training after enduring a worrisome period in which he was not allowed to undergo physical activity. Jawai was required to 'rest', due to a routine pre-season test, revealing a cardiac abnormality.
On 21 January 2009, Jawai made his NBA debut against the Detroit Pistons
at The Palace of Auburn Hills
.
On 26 February 2009, Jawai was assigned by the Toronto Raptors to the Idaho Stampede
of the NBA Development League
. In his first start (his second game), he registered 12 points, 5 rebounds and a team-high 3 blocks in a 104–96 Idaho win over Utah Flash
. Jawai was recalled from the D-League on 23 March 2009.
On 9 July 2009, Nathan Jawai was traded to the Dallas Mavericks
as a part of the four-team deal among Raptors, Mavericks, Orlando Magic
and Memphis Grizzlies
. Later that year, on 20 October 2009, Jawai was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves
for a conditional second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
On 8 November 2009, Jawai played arguably the best game of his NBA career, scoring a team-high 16 points and grabbing six rebounds in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
On 19 February 2010, Jawai was sent to the Sioux Falls Skyforce
of the NBA D-League for a short stint. He was recalled on 21 February 2010, and sent back on 31 March 2010.
On 18 August 2010, Jawai signed a one-year contract to ex-European champions KK Partizan
from Belgrade
, Serbia
.
In June 2011 he signed with UNICS Kazan
in Russia
.
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Toronto
| 6 || 0 || 3.2 || .250 || .000 || .000 || .3 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .3
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Minnesota
| 39 || 2 || 10.6 || .441 || .000 || .684 || 2.7 || .6 || .3 || .2 || 3.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 45 || 2 || 9.6 || .435 || .000 || .684 || 2.4 || .5 || .2 || .2 || 2.8
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He currently plays for the Russian
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
team UNICS Kazan
UNICS Kazan
UNICS Kazan is a professional basketball club in Kazan, Russia playing in the PBL. Their home arena is Basket Hall Arena.Though officially the professional club was founded in 1991 , UNICS traces its origin back to KSU's college team Burevestnik which participated in USSR student championships...
.
Pro career
In the 2007–08 NBL season, Jawai averaged 17.26 points per game, 9.39 rebounds per game and 1 block per game in 30 minutes and shot 57% from the field, making him second in the league. His NBL career-high for points is 28, rebounds 18, and blocks is 3. He was drafted 41st overall in the 2008 NBA Draft2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
by the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
; however, his rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
in a deal that also brought Jermaine O'Neal
Jermaine O'Neal
Jermaine Lee O'Neal is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. The 6 ft 11 in , 255 lb forward-center had a successful high school career and declared his eligibility for the 1996 NBA Draft straight out of high school...
to Toronto for T. J. Ford
T. J. Ford
Terrance Jerod "T. J." Ford is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for KK Zagreb. Having been awarded numerous top basketball accolades in high school and college, Ford entered the 2003 NBA Draft and was selected eighth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks...
, Rasho Nesterović, Maceo Baston
Maceo Baston
Maceo Demond Baston is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent.-College career:After graduating from Dallas' H. Grady Spruce High School, Baston played college basketball at the University of Michigan. At Michigan, he was part of an all-star recruiting class that...
, and the Raptors' 17th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft who turned out to be Roy Hibbert
Roy Hibbert
Roy Denzil Hibbert is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. He plays at the center position, and graduated from Georgetown University in 2008. He was drafted 17th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors and was immediately traded to the Pacers...
.
Soon after the trade the Raptors announced they had signed Jawai to a two-year deal on 11 July 2008.
Nicknamed the "Aussie Shaq", "Outback Shaq", and "Baby Shaq" due to his resemblance to Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
, Jawai claims to not like the nicknames or comparisons to O'Neal. He is also nicknamed by Toronto commentators 'Big Nate'.
On 17 December 2008, Jawai was cleared to resume training after enduring a worrisome period in which he was not allowed to undergo physical activity. Jawai was required to 'rest', due to a routine pre-season test, revealing a cardiac abnormality.
On 21 January 2009, Jawai made his NBA debut against the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
at The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
.
On 26 February 2009, Jawai was assigned by the Toronto Raptors to the Idaho Stampede
Idaho Stampede
The Idaho Stampede is an American basketball team that plays in the NBA Development League. The team is based in the Boise, Idaho, area and as of 2005 plays at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise. The team was founded as a member of the Continental Basketball Association in 1997 and was league runner-up...
of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
. In his first start (his second game), he registered 12 points, 5 rebounds and a team-high 3 blocks in a 104–96 Idaho win over Utah Flash
Utah Flash
The Utah Flash was a team of the NBA Development League that began playing in 2007 and folded in 2011. They played their home games at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah...
. Jawai was recalled from the D-League on 23 March 2009.
On 9 July 2009, Nathan Jawai was traded to the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
as a part of the four-team deal among Raptors, Mavericks, Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
and Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
. Later that year, on 20 October 2009, Jawai was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
for a conditional second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
On 8 November 2009, Jawai played arguably the best game of his NBA career, scoring a team-high 16 points and grabbing six rebounds in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
On 19 February 2010, Jawai was sent to the Sioux Falls Skyforce
Sioux Falls Skyforce
The Sioux Falls Skyforce is a professional basketball team that plays in the NBA Development League. They are based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The team plays at the Sioux Falls Arena. The Skyforce began in the CBA in 1989...
of the NBA D-League for a short stint. He was recalled on 21 February 2010, and sent back on 31 March 2010.
On 18 August 2010, Jawai signed a one-year contract to ex-European champions KK Partizan
KK Partizan
Košarkaški klub Partizan is a Serbian professional basketball club. It is part of the multi-sports Belgrade-based club Partizan. The club competes in the Serbian League, Adriatic League and the Euroleague....
from Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
.
In June 2011 he signed with UNICS Kazan
UNICS Kazan
UNICS Kazan is a professional basketball club in Kazan, Russia playing in the PBL. Their home arena is Basket Hall Arena.Though officially the professional club was founded in 1991 , UNICS traces its origin back to KSU's college team Burevestnik which participated in USSR student championships...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
| 6 || 0 || 3.2 || .250 || .000 || .000 || .3 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .3
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
| 39 || 2 || 10.6 || .441 || .000 || .684 || 2.7 || .6 || .3 || .2 || 3.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 45 || 2 || 9.6 || .435 || .000 || .684 || 2.4 || .5 || .2 || .2 || 2.8